Thanksgiving

I've been feeling very grateful recently for all the blessings I have in my life. Since Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, I thought I'd catalog some of them. (In no particular order!)


* Mike. He's really a great husband for me. As much as he drives me batty for leaving his shoes all over the front entry and for rarely cleaning the basement, he has also taught me so much about myself and is so incredibly kind and generous. He's also smart and funny and adventurous. I am so lucky to have him.

* My parents. I really don't think I could ask for better parents. They gave me the world on a spoon, and continue to be there for me whenever I need any sort of help or support. Thanks, Mom and Dad!


* My job. It's so nice to be at a place where I am happy and feel appreciated. I don't dread Mondays nearly as much as I used to. And, after some real doozies of bosses/advisors, I feel like I hit the jackpot with my current supervisor. Oh, and I got a raise after my first year which was also really nice.

* My health. If possible infertility is the worst thing I have to deal with, then I'm pretty darn lucky in the grand scheme of things.

* Ryan. If it weren't for her, I don't know that I would have been able to finish grad school. I'm so happy that her in-laws live in Minneapolis so I still get to see her a couple times a year, even though she now lives in North Carolina.

* My mahjong group. Thanks to Ann and Jane for introducing me and Megan to the game! I so look forward to our monthly gatherings. And special thanks to Megan for being such a wonderful friend and so supportive even outside of our mahjong group too.

* My "book club." Even though we no longer read books (and even though we lost several members who have moved away), I love the cultural activities we do - camping, physics shows, apple picking, sleepovers, etc. I look forward to our monthly-ish excursions! Another special thanks to Dotty, who I also get to every other week or so for a walk around around the lake; I really treasure our time together.

* My college friends. I do so miss being able to see them all on a regular basis. Thanks to the wonders of facebook and email, however, we can at least marginally stay in touch. Mitra in particular has been incredibly supportive in the past couple years, and I'm so grateful to her. Thank heavens we get to reunion in June - I'm already counting down to seeing Rachel again (and hopefully many others as well!).

* Mike's family. I got pretty lucky in the in-law department. Mary and Mike have been so kind and welcoming, particularly for family meals. Jack and Marsha have been incredibly generous of their time and talents. Anne has blossomed since entering college and is now a bona fide grownup who I am so happy to have in my life. I am also thankful whenever we get to see David & Sara and Jason & Emily.

* Our house. It's a bit cozy, but it's all ours...or at least it will be in 15 years when we have our final mortgage payment scheduled. ;) It has been so much fun to grow into the space and to make it our own. And I'm especially thankful that Mike cleaned out the garage so now I can park in there in the winter!

* Lucy and Mac. They have taught us so much - everything from the dangers of leaving anything edible on the counters (ahem), to the wonders of unconditional love - there is nothing in the world that is better than TWO cats asleep on your lap.

* My "toys." I love my Kindle, my camera, and my sewing machine. (It's okay to appreciate tangible stuff too, right?)

* Financial security. Yeah, I worry about  money a lot, and I think I would always be more comfortable with more than whatever paltry amount we have in savings, but yet we're also incredibly financially lucky. No debt other than mortgage and school loans, plus the ability to always put food on the table, to not worry too much about paying our bills, to eat out (on occasion) without second thought, and to attend dear friends' weddings across the country (and one time even across the globe in Scotland!).

* Wine club and Murder mystery group. I know both of these are now defunct, but they were fun while they lasted! Thanks to all for the great memories.

* Grandparents. I love my Gramma Larson and also PopPop and MomMom. I only wish I could have had more time with Grandpa Larson and with Grandma Baker before they passed - I'm glad I have something to remember each of them by (crazy as it sounds, I love my Grandpa's colander and my Grandma's suncatchers).

* The Twin Cities. Not only do I get weather to complain about nearly year round (ha ha), but I have access to an incredible wealth of cultural opportunities. From the Twins to the MIA to the MOA to the zoos to the MN Orchestra... If I'm bored one day, it's certainly not for a lack of possibilities! Oh, and on that note, special thanks to Amanda F for being my orchestra buddy whenever Mike is out of town.


Okay, I'm going to pause there and continue to reflect... and to continue to give thanks for everything and everyone I've listed above. Check back for more in the future...